5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

~ Tiffany ~

I don't know what came over me. To talk to a person all night was insane. To blow off my friends was even worse. But I couldn't help myself. Heath called to me on a level that I knew was dangerous but didn't want to avoid. I mean, I knew Jameson, and he was a dick, but I didn't know this man.

And I liked this man a whole lot more.

Not that I should be thinking of him this way. I mean, hello, I still can't date the man. I can't kill him, can't date him. No matter how I could get lost in his chocolate eyes. Or how I dream about what that stubble on his face would feel like between my thighs.

Don't even get me started on the silver hoop she has in his ears and how that makes me a little gooey inside. Or the hand tattoo that he has. A simple rosary that wraps around his wrist and works down his middle finger. I forgot how many times I have fantasized about that wrapped around my neck, or how naughty that cross would look dipping in and out of my wet center.

Not good, Tiff !

"I need to run to the bathroom real fast. And make a pit stop to my group of friends so they don't think I was kidnapped or something?"He leaned back, wiping his face, and cocked a brow.

"You mean the same friends that have either shot daggers over here or stared with awe in their eyes?" I licked my lips and nodded.

"Those would be them."

"Please, let them know. I don't need them killing me."

"Right.I'll be right back." I set my hand on his arm, feeling the zap of energy that worked its way up over my body. Sure, I've touched Jameson, and have to on occasion with the work I do. But normally, the zap isn't that strong.

I made a beeline to the bathroom, taking a steadying breath and checking the time.I never saw my night going this way, but then again, I wouldn't have changed one bit of it either. It was nice to see a side I was sure no one else saw these days. I washed my hands, dabbing at my face, then walked out, clutching my chest at who stood before me.

"Goddamn it, Ricky, you gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry. Was just figuring out if you were going to come back to the table or if I needed to corner you. I went for the last option."

"I can see this. Look, I didn't mean to ditch you. I just got to talking to Heath and it's been great."

"I don't tell you what to do Tiff, you know this. I care about you, you're one of my best friends. But working for the devil, and talking to the devil, is only going to lead to heartache, on your part. You always bitch about Jameson."

"I know, Ricky, I know. But Jameson is the stage act. Heath has been great. He's made me laugh, made me talk about myself, made me think. He's not the same person."

I watched as Ricky shook his head and then pulled me into a hug.

"He's one and the same, stage name or not. It's a matter of finding which one he truly is. I just don't want you getting hurt. I won't leave till you tell me to, though." I squeezed the man, grateful for his friendship.

"You're amazing Ricky, thank you. I promise I'll be careful." I knew I had to be. I was already toeing a line here. But, then again, he introduced himself as Heath, not Jameson. He wanted to be just the man, not the star. Therefore, I could be just the woman, not the backup dancer.

I waved to Ricky, then went back to the table, smiling at Heath as I took the seat again.

"Long line at the bathroom?" he teased, and I shook my head.

"Run in with a friend. Told them I wasn't being kidnapped."

"Hmm, that's a shame. Can't say I've ever done it, but I wouldn't be above trying," he whispered, leaning in even closer. I licked my lips, not sure if I was all for being kidnapped, or all for being teased and flirted with. Either way, I liked where this was going.

"Well, I might not be above you trying either. It would be an epic conclusion to a very nice night."

"Huh, not sure I've ever had someone call a date, nice." I popped a brow up at that.

"Date? This is a date? You didn't ask me out, I ran into you."

"And kept me company all evening, where we ate, and talked. Then you proceeded to give me your number and I would kiss you goodnight."I chewed on my lower lip as I smirked.That was a very smooth line.

Not that I heard many of them, but it was a good one. I held out my hand, grinning all the more as he put his phone in it.I clicked the phone icon and entered my name and number, sending a quick call to myself.

"Now, you can probably stalk me, Heath."

"Thought it would be you stalking me, Tiff." I lifted my shoulder in a slight shrug. Wasn't going to get into semantics with him on that one. "I really did enjoy tonight. It's been a long ass time since I felt like myself.You did that."

"I'm glad I could," I whispered, moving even closer to him. His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over the apple, and I felt my heart start in a pattern I hadn't known before. "I'd like to do itagain soon."

"Me too."With that, he pulled me closer, his lips brushing over mine and I swear, I felt my body leave the Earth and enter a realm I hadn't known existed.

I couldn't even begin to give the number of times I watched this man hold a mic up to his lips and belt out song after song, getting the crowd into his music.And I couldn't give a number of how many times I've dreamed, wished, wanted, and yearned for this man's lips to be pressed against mine.

And now that they were?

Fucking. Wonderful.

There was just no other way to describe it. His lips were soft, plump, and yet firm. Which made kissing him a whole other level of desire I didn't even know I could feel. Or want.In fact, I was struggling not to pull him closer. Or not to climb in his lap and do wicked things to him.

Not to mention the way his tongue felt against mine, with mine, entangled and battling.

Holy. Shit.

Could he freakin' ass kiss.

I had no doubt that Jameson had his fair share of groupies. I know he had a decent number of ex-girlfriends. And how any could walk away from a man who could rock your world just by a kiss, was beyond me.

It took all my willpower not to whimper when he pulled away. I mean, I probably could have kept on for hours if he had let me.When I felt I had my raging hormones in check, I blinked my eyes open, a smile tugging at my lips.

"I lied."

That had my heart stopping.

"About?" I asked.

"I just don't want to see you in the future because of your laugh, Tiff. I want more of those lips."

Swoon. Worthy.

"Done deal," I muttered, tossing him a wink. He stood up, smirking in response.

"I'll text you."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone with a stupid, dreamy smile painted on my lips. I looked over at the doorway, watching Rickyshake his head before turning around.Let him be pissed, I couldn't care.Not right now anyway.

I walked back to my friends, giving them a sheepish grin. I waved as I grabbed my purse, ordered myself an Uber, and then called the one person who might understand what I had to tell her: Charlene.

"Hey you, everything okay?"

"Charlene, you won't believe what happened?"

"You kissed Jameson?" My extended pause had her gasping. "Bull fucking shit, girl."

"Not Jameson, but Heath."

"Um, there's not really a difference, Tiffany."

"I know," I muttered, climbing into the car as it pulled up. "But the man I was with tonight, Char, is not the man we work with.God, Heath was…I don't even know.Real maybe? True? Different?He was great. We laughed, joked, talked, kissed. Oh my god, that kiss, Char."

"Had your mind reeling, I'm guessing?"

"Yes.Look, I know what I did was wrong, but I don't feel bad about it. I just don't know how to face him. Especially now. I want to kill Jameson half the time. And I know I liked him, but after tonight, after this, it's going to be really hard not to make heart-shaped eyes at him when I have to dance up on him."

"Figure it out, Tiffany."

I leaned my head back on the seat, closing my eyes. This was not going to be an easy road to manage. And though my feelings were already strong before tonight, they got a lot deeper. And under no circumstances could I let on that Tiffany the dancer, was the same Tiff from BeeAnn's.